Saturday, November 1, 2008

47. Scotland: McNie's Fish and Chips

We hadn't been to this fish and chip shop for several years and were disappointed to find that it just wasn't the same. It was, at one time, a bustling place that served up the best in Scottish grub and where you heard lilting highland accents. There are still a number of traditional dishes on the menu including mushy peas, black pudding and the inevitable haggis. The Scots meat pie and steak and kidney pie had tasty fillings but the pastry was rubbery - as if the pies had been heated in a microwave oven, $4.99 pie only, $5.99 with chips. [pictured here] They were out of coleslaw - "our delivery is not coming today" - and the garden salads, $3.49 were fresh but unimaginative. Two bottles of Kraft salad dressings were plunked on the table. The lunch special haddock and chips, $5.95 from 11 am to 3 pm daily, is great value for money and a reasonably sized portion. We ordered tea and got a large pot of hot water and teabags in our cups. The food and service were OK but there's nothing much to recommend coming here. Unless you live nearby or have a taste for haggis, you might be better off trying one of Etobicoke's other traditional fish and chip shops - Kingsway, at 3060 Bloor West or Viking, at 826 the Queensway.Rating: Ambiance (2)Service (2)Food Presentation (2)Food Quality (2)Value for Money (3)

JUST SO YOU KNOW, FRANK McNIE HAS OPENED ANOTHER FISH & CHIP SHOP. IT IS CALLED "HIGH STREET FISH, CHIPS &" IT IS ON UNDERHILL DR. (IN THE PLAZA) THAT IS IN THE LAWRENCE AVE.E AND DON VALLEY PKWY. AREA. THE FOOD AND SERVICE IS EXCELLENT. RON --ENJOY